Thomas austin



(No Model.)

7 T. AUSTIN. I I DEVICE FOR FEE-SERVING 0R RBSTORING SHAPE 0P BOOTS 0RSHOE-S.

Patented Feb. 15, 1898-.

Wzirwlrw.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

THOMAS AUSTIN, OF ALVASTON, ENGLAND.

DEVICE FOR PRESERVING OR RESTORING SHAPE OF BOOTS 0R SHOES.

SPECIFICATION forming part Of Letters Patent NO. 599,091, dated February15, 1898. Application filed June 28, 1897. Serial No. 642,680 (Nomodel.) Patented in England September 15, 1897, No. 13,568.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, THOMAS AUsTIN, a subject of the Queen of GreatBritain and Ireland,

and a resident of 63 Alvaston street, Alvaston,

in the county of Derby, England, have'invented a certain new and usefulImproved Device for Preserving or Restoring the Shapes of Boots orShoes, (for which I have received a patentin Great Britain, the saidpatent being numbered 13, 568 and dated September 15, 1897,) of whichthe following is a specification.

The object of my invention is to provide a simple device for preservingthe shapes of boots and shoes or for restoring their shape when theyhave become unduly creased, wrinkled, or otherwise distorted.

Referring to the drawings which form a part of this specification,Figure 1 is a vertical longitudinal section on line a a of Fig. 2,

showing an application of myinvention. Fig.

2 is a plan of same.

In carrying out my said invention I form a front shell or shape A, ofmetal or other suitable material. This may be of any form, according tothe class or shape of boot or shoe it is required for, and carries arack B, its

upper extremity being turned over and riveted or otherwise secured, asat O, to form a loop D for convenience in handling or hanging up. A backshape E is fitted in the back of the boot or shoe and is bent over at Eto fit or spring into one of-the notches of the rack B, the pressure onthe front and back of the shoe being regulated, as desired, by placingthe end of the spring E in one or the other of the notches, as shown.

The rack may either be formed in a piece with the front shape A or beriveted or otherwise secured thereto, and the loop D may be of leatheror other suitable material, if desired, instead of metal. may be notchedout to fit accurately into the rack, and the lower extremities of bothfront and back shapes or shells may have short projections, teeth, orstuds, if desired, to engage the sole and heel of the boot or shoe.

The dotted lines on Fig. 1 give the outline of a somewhat heavy class ofboot to facilitate the illustration of my invention. It will, however,be evident that the device may be applied to almost any form of boot orshoe. In the latter case it would not extend so far in an upwarddirection, and the spring E would take a somewhat different form.

A great advantage of this device is that it keeps the inside of the bootopen and allows it to be thoroughly aired. This is not the case with theordinary boot-tree or solid device used for the same purpose.

Having now described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is-

The improved device for preserving or restoring the shape of boots andshoes consistin g of a front shell or shape A carrying a rack B and loopD, in combination with a back piece E and spring E the latter beingadapted to engage the notches on the rack B substantially as described.

' It witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of twowitnesses.

THOMAS AUSTIN.

Witnesses:

W. SWINDELL, O. B. SHnRwIN.

The tip of the spring

